It is the time of year when some people make New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions are often something like “I want to lose weight” or “I want to spend more time with my kids” or “I want to improve my performance on the job to get that promotion.” The words resolution and resolve both come from the root word. However, the use of resolution has often become more like the idea of a wish. People often make a resolution without a plan or a commitment to actually accomplish it. Resolve still holds the definition shown in the Oxford Dictionary of “decide firmly on a course of action,” a sense of intentionality and purpose.

Rather than simply making a resolution that is a wish, if a person really desires to change some behavior, they need to resolve to accomplish the change. This requires following one of the models of intentional change. Here is one example of an effective intentional change model:

Step 1: Identify the current state. What is the current behavior? How can it best be accurately described? For example, how can current job performance be described? Or, what is my current weight?

Step 2: Identify the desired state. How can the desired behavior be described? What are the measures for the desired state? For example, how would the desired level of job performance be described, perhaps in some level of productivity? Or, what is my desired weight?

Step 3: Identify the gap between the current or actual state and the desired state. In what ways does the desired state differ from the current state? What needs to change from the current state to achieve the desired state? For example, how would the desired level of job performance be different than the current level of job performance? Or, what is the difference between my current weight and my desired weight?

Step 4: Set goals for change. What is a goal or a series of goals that move me from the current state towards the desired state? Using the concept of SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-based goals), establish some specific goals that, when achieved, move me closer to the desired state. It is generally easier to achieve a series of bite-sized goals than one large goal, so it often makes sense to set a series of sequential goals. For example, in the case of job performance, what level of productivity should I achieve in the next month? Or, how many pounds can I realistically take off in the next week or month?

Step 5: Identify the actions that will achieve the goals. What are the specific things that I need to do to reach my goals and move me toward the desired state? These actions need to be very specifically defined, including describing the actions, when they will be taken, how often, etc. For example, each morning I will close my door and work without interruption for three hours on this project. Or, I will exercise by walking two miles three days a week before breakfast.

Step 6: Develop an accountability relationship. We are more likely to remain committed and stay on track when we have someone that will encourage us and hold us accountable for actually carrying out the actions and achieving the goals. Without someone to hold us accountable, we often find excuses to postpone or cut short our action plans. A life coach is a good choice as an accountability partner; in fact, a coach can help a person with each step in this process.

Step 7: Track progress. A visual record of action taken and goals achieved helps keep the fire going.

Step 8: Celebrate success. As you achieve goals, take the time to do something concrete to mark progress. This imprints the success in our minds.

Step 9: Make the change a permanent part of your life. If this growth goal is something that you want to be a permanent part of your life, be sure that you follow the action plan long enough to build it into a habit. And then set reminders to check back and be sure that the behavior remains a habit.

Rather than simply wishing for personal growth or a change in behavior, be intentional about identifying what you want to change, achieving the change, and making that change permanent.

Are your resolutions a wish or an actual, intentional plan for change or growth?